“This huge increase shows things seem to be getting worse not better. “The Welsh Labour Government should think of the patients behind these figures, many of which will be in a lot of pain and discomfort. For those people, 36 weeks must feel like a lifetime.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said the majority of patients in Wales continue to wait less than 26 weeks, and half of patients wait less than 10 weeks for treatment.

“While it is disappointing to note the number of patients waiting more than 36 weeks, NHS Wales continues to work hard to ensure patients receive treatment in a timely manner, and in order of clinical priority both for planned and urgent care.”